John Ragano, a member of the Bonanno crime family, has been sentenced to 37 months in prison for extortionate collection of credit related to a $150,000 loan. This sentence will be served after completing a 57-month sentence for conspiracy to commit extortionate collection of credit involving the same victim. Additionally, Ragano is required to pay $3,000 in forfeiture. His conviction followed a four-day jury trial in October 2024.
United States Attorney John J. Durham and Acting FBI Assistant Director Leslie R. Backschies announced the sentencing. "Today’s sentence punishes Ragano’s blatant disregard for the law," stated Durham, emphasizing his office's commitment to combating organized crime. Backschies added that Ragano's actions demonstrated apathy towards the criminal justice system and highlighted the FBI's intolerance for mob tactics.
Ragano lent $150,000 in cash to a victim in early 2021, demanding weekly interest payments of approximately $1,800 without reducing the principal amount. He was arrested on September 14, 2021, related to this loan and other schemes involving marijuana trafficking and fraud. Despite being released on bond in December 2021 and under pretrial supervision, Ragano continued efforts to collect on the loan by approaching the victim at federal courthouse status conferences and directing another individual (Individual #1) to contact them.
In November 2022, Ragano pleaded guilty to conspiring over the extortionate loan but continued his attempts at collection into 2023. This led to further charges of extortionate collection of credit and witness harassment.
During his trial in October 2024, evidence showed that on March 25, 2023, Individual #1 informed the victim that Ragano wanted full repayment without harm intentions. On March 31, Individual #1 conveyed that Ragano was upset about the outstanding loan. In July 2023, during a recorded meeting at an auto parts yard where Ragano worked, he accused the victim of cooperating with authorities and forced him to strip naked while demanding repayment.
The case is managed by the Organized Crime and Gangs Section with Assistant United States Attorneys Devon Lash and Andrew D. Reich leading prosecution efforts alongside Paralegal Specialist Kristina Kim. Forfeiture matters are handled by Assistant United States Attorney Tanisha Payne from the Asset Recovery Section.